INVESTIGATING POLYMER MICROSTRUCTURE WITH PYROLYSIS CHROMATO-MASS-SPECTROMETRY

The principles and potentialities of and limitations to the method of pyrolysis chromato-mass-spectrometry in investigating the primary stru cture of homo- and copolymers are discussed. Applicability of the meth od for both qualitative and quantitative determination of the microstr ucture is demonstrated with a large number of polymers synthesized fro m hydrocarbon and heteroatomic monomers. The advantages and disadvanta ges of pyrolysis chromato-mass-spectrometry are discussed as compared to other spectral analytical techniques. Specific attention is paid to the boundary effect theories, which are used when calculating the dia d and triad contents in copolymers. The potential of the method for ev aluating the branching of macromolecules, quantitative evaluation of t he arrangement of monomer units, heterogeneity in alternating copolyme rs, and the extent of block character are demonstrated.